Liverpool has confirmed the signing of Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with the defender set to ease some of the concerns surrounding the Reds defensive problems
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ronald Araujo poses at AXA Training Centre on August 10, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has completed his move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has spoken for the first time as a Liverpool player, with the defender having completed his loan move from Barcelona.
The 27-year-old has arrived on a season-long deal from the La Liga champions, having undergone a medical after arriving on Merseyside on Sunday.
The transfer includes the option for Liverpool to make the move permanent next summer for around $64 million (€55M). No loan fee has been included in the deal, but the Reds will cover Araujo’s wages throughout the entire 2026/27 season as he steps in to help out a Liverpool side in need of more options in defense.
Andoni Iraola is already without Joe Gomez for the season opener against Newcastle later this month, while doubts remain over new signing Jeremy Jacquet, although the Frenchman is expected to play a part in the final pre-season friendlies against Como next weekend.
Giovanni Leoni, meanwhile, is continuing to recover after rupturing his ACL last year, while right-back Conor Bradley is still months away from a return, having suffered a serious knee injury in January.
Araujo will be able to offer cover at both center-back and right-back, with the Uruaguay international eager to get down to work at Liverpool.
“I can’t wait to get started. I’m very, very happy,” Araujo told the club’s website.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Ronald Araujo poses at AXA Training Centre on August 10, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Ronald Araujo has joined Liverpool on a season-long loan from Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)
“I’m excited to be here at this massive club with lots of history. I’m excited to meet my teammates, excited to get started playing, and I’m very motivated and really up for getting going.
“I think it was the ideal move for me at this stage in my career. I think it was a move that was necessary for me to take. As soon as I heard that interest from Liverpool, everything went into action really, really quickly.
“As I say, I’m super-happy to be here and excited to get started. I’m glad about the interest and it was the right move at the right time.”
Araujo will meet his new teammates in training this week before the final pre-season friendlies of the summer, with Italian side Como visiting Anfield for a double-header on Sunday.
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The defender arrives after spending eight years at Barcelona, having made the move to the Catalan region in 2018 as a youth player before going on to become the club’s captain. Current Barca boss Hansi Flick though has admitted he was unable to guarantee him playing time for the forthcoming season.
"I think Ronald is a great guy and a fantastic player,” Flick said on Sunday.
"I think our style of play, that we want to play, is a little bit different. He's a player that has a lot of speed, he's physical and very strong and also with the ball he's quite good.
"We couldn't include him like I wanted and also I think he wants to make something new.
"You know it more than me because in the past, something has happened, so this affected him."